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Thursday, April 22, 2010

NGO sensitizes teachers on child trafficking

An anti-child trafficking campaign by an NGO called People Serving Girls at Risk is currently underway to prevent Malawian girls from being trafficked as prostitutes to South Africa for the World Cup in June.

The organisation Executive Director Caleb Ng'ombo disclosed this at Mdeka Teacher’s Development Centre during a training session for 15 teachers to impart them with skills in protecting children‘s rights.

The project called Building community competences in child protection involves several stakeholders including traditional leaders and the police.

Ng'ombo observed the Mdeka area being in a strategic place between Mwanza border and Lunzu township, known for prostitution.

Ng'ombo also expected chiefs to remain vigilant against commercial sexual exploitation of children which facilitates trafficking of girls.

He however appealed for more security and protection when handling more technology advanced traffickers.

“Although us as human beings get scared we have to fight human traffickers since a lot of children are being trafficked to South Africa and Europe and face horrendous acts.

“We are increasing awareness, educating girls and boys who are vulnerable. We will sensitize chiefs as traditional leaders to remain vigilant. We will also train the police as law enforcers and communities,” said Ng'ombo.

Besides learning about the evils and tricks of trafficking, the teachers also learnt about good hygiene for students, human sexuality, traditional practices, family and community values among others.

Blessings Nyirenda, a teacher at Namikasi Secondary School who teaches life skills said issues of personal hygiene are vital and appealed for government to enable villagers access clean water regularly by providing chlorine to treat streams.